Perf Mittens for Me!

Instead of writing report cards I have been determined to create the perfect fitting mittens for me! These mittens are made out of Llama (Illimani Baby Llama www.illimaniyarn.com) and fit my little hands just perfect. They may not be appropriate for -25 degree weather, but they are great for days like today. 

The pattern is as follows:

Materials:

Set of 4 3.00mm dpns (US 2.75)

1 skein of Illimani Baby Llama wool (its worsted weight, but it is pretty light)

Darning needle

Stitch holder (for the thumb)

CO 44

Divide on DPNs 14-15-15

Join- you may want to place a marker after the first stitch on the first round so you know where the round begins

Rib stitch for 2 inches (K1 P1)

On the last rib stitch round increase 15 stitches evenly by Ktfb (knit through the front and the back) on Knit stitches in the rib

Do 18 rounds of stockinette stitch

Round 19- K10, Put 16 stitches on stitch marker (thumb) K rest of the round

Knit 23 rounds in stockinette stitch

Decrease Rounds- I usually like to start these right when the mitt it at  my pinky finger

Round 1: *K3 K2tog* repeat from *to* until 3 stitches left K the last three stitches

Round 2: K all stitches

Round 3: *K2 K2tog* repeat from *to* until 3 stitches left K the last three stitches

Rounds 4-8: K all stitches

Round 9: *K1 K2tog* repeat from *to * until end of the round

Rounds 10 and 11: K all stitches

Round 12: *Ktog* repeat from *to* until end of round

Use darning needles to sew through all remaining stitches and pull tight :)

Thumb:

With 1 dpn pick up and knit 6 stitches from stitch holder, with next dpn pick up and knit 7 stitches, with next dpn pick up and knit remaining stitches from holder and pick up and knit 3 stitches from the inside of the mitt to complete the round

Knit 12 rows stockinette stitch

Next row: *K2tog* repeat from *to* until end of round

Next row:*K2tog* repeat from *to* until end of round

Use darning needle to pick up remaining stitches and pull yarn through.

There will be a small hole between the thumb and mitt- sew this up

Weave in all ends

Ta da!

Baby Things

Tomorrow is my sister's baby shower and my little niece or nephew will be arriving shortly! I have knitted up a few things for the baby. See below:

The Flax Sweater

 Free Pattern: http://www.tincanknits.com/pattern-SC-flax.html

My husband loves this sweater so much he wants ones in his size.

The Baby Sophisticate Sweater

Free Pattern on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-sophisticate---free

Hats, mitts, and booties :)

The Bad Baby Blanket

From: Stitch N Bitch Knitter's Book

3x Cable Knitted Scarf

This Christmas I also knitted a special scarf and hat set for my Kris Kringle.

Patterns Below:

3X Knit Cable Scarf

Materials:

4.5 mm needles

Pattons DK weight yarn

Cable hook

Darning needle

Pattern:

CO 52 stitches

Row 1: K3 P3 K3 P3 K6 P5 K6 P5 K6 P3 K3 P3 K3

Row 2: K6 P3 K3 P6 K5 P6 K5 P6 K3 P3 K6

Row 3: Same as Row 1

Row 4: Same as Row 2

Row 5: Same as Row 1

Row 6: Same as Row 2

Row 7: K3 P3 K3 P3 <CB 3 K6 (cable back 3 stitches)> P5 <CB 3 K6>  P5 <CB 3 K6> P3 K3 P3 K3

Row 8: Same as Row 2

Repeat pattern until desired length is reached :)

CO

Weave in all ends with darning needle

I blocked this scarf by soaking it in luke warm water with wool soap and stretching it out on an old sheet, leaving to dry for 24 hours. 

Simple Slouch Hat

Materials:

Patons DK weight yarn

4 dpns 3.75mm

darning needle

Pattern:

CO 88 stitches on to one dpn

Separate among 3 dpns- 30, 29, 29

Join

Round 1: *P1, K1* repeat for entire round

Repeat round 1 until desired length of brim- this hat is 2.5 inches

Last round of brim: Do one more *P1, K1* round except increase one stitch every 10 stitches- increase 8 stitches only

Knit next round

Continue to knit round until hat is about 8-10 inches (desired length) then move to decrease rounds

Decrease Rounds (should have 96 stitches)

Round 1: *K6 K2tog* repeat from * to * for entire round

Round 2: *K5K2tog* repeat from * to * for entire round

Round 3: *K4 K2tog* repeat from * to * for entire round

Round 4: *K3 K2tog* repeat from * to * for entire round

Round 5: *K2 K2tog* repeat from * to * for entire round

Round 6: *K1 K2tog* repeat from * to * for entire round

Round 7: *K2tog* repeat from * to * for entire round

Continue to K2tog until there are 6-8 stitches left

Use darning needle to pull through remaining stitches- pull hard- knot in the inside of the hat

Weave in all ends

Christmas Gifts- More Knitted Shawls

For Christmas I knitted two shawls. One for my nonna and one for my mother.  These shawls are very time consuming, but well worth it! Happy Holidays. 

Now I want to block everything...

After learning how to wet block,  I  now have looked at a few past projects  and thought, "this would look even nicer if I blocked it".  So, I took one my husbands' scarves and wet blocked it. Now you can really see the cables and the scarf is much thicker in width.

Below is the original scarf before blocking.

My Favourite Hat

This is my new favourite hat to knit and I think it's a perfect fit as well as the right amount of slouchy.

Here is the pattern:

What you need:

Worsted weight yarn

5mm Short Circular Needles (you need to be able to join 74 stitches) 

DPNs 5mm

Darning needle

Pattern:

CO 74 stitches

Join and Place Marker at the beginning of the round

Rib Stitch K1 P1 for 1.5-2 inches

For the last row of the  Rib Stitch add 7 extra stitches evenly by knitting through the front and back loops- 81 stitches 

Knit in the round until hat measures 9-10 inches

Decrease:

Round 1: K7 K2tog (repeat until end of round)

Round 2: K6 K2tog (repeat until end of round)

Round 3: K5 K2tog (repeat until end of round)

Round 4: K4 K2tog (repeat until end of round)

Round 5: K3 K2tog (repeat until end of round)

You may need to switch to DPNs at this point

Round 6: K2 K2tog (repeat until end of round)

Round 7: K1 K2tog (repeat until end of round)

Round 8: K2tog (repeat until end of round)

Remove Marker

Continue K2tog until you have 4-6 stitches left

Use a darning needle to loop through the remaining stitches

Hide all loose ends with a darning needle 

Voila!

The Shawls

For my wedding I made three shawls for my bridesmaids as a thank you for being there for me. I have been knitting them since February. I took a few patterns from different places to create this look and I think they came out beautifully.

Pattern:

Each shawl was made with different yarn- I used lace weight for the green one and sock weight for the grey and tan coloured ones. The pattern for the sock weight is bellow.

Abbreviations:

S1- slip one stitch

PSSO- pull slipped stitch over

PM- place marker

K2tog- knit two stitches together

SM- slip marker

YO- Yarn Over

3.5 mm needles

Cast on 178 Stitches

Row 1: S1 *K9 YO K1 YO K3 S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from * to * until last stitch K thru back loop

Row 2: S1 P all stitches

Row 3: S1 *K10 YO K1 YO K2 S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from * to * until last stitch K thru back loop

Row 4: S1 P all stitches

Row 5: S1 *K3tog K4 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO K1 S1 K2tog PSSO *repeat from * to * until last stitch K thru back loop

Row 6:S1 P all stitches

Row 7: S1 *K3tog K3 YO K1 YO K9* *repeat from * to * until last stitch K thru back loop

Row 8:S1 P all stitches

Row 9: S1 *K3tog K2 YO K1 YO K10* *repeat from * to * until last stitch K thru back loop

Row 10:S1 P all stitches

Row 11: S1 *K3tog K1 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO K4 S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from *to* until last stitch K thru back loop

Row 12:S1 P all stitches

Repeat Rows 1-12 once more- 24 rows

Row 25: S1 *K9 YO K1 YO K3 S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from * to * once more  PM P112 stitches PM than *K9 YO K1 YO K3 S1 K2tog PSSO* two times last stitch K thru back loop

Row 26: S1 P32 SM K to marker  SM P32 P1

Row 27: S1 *K9 YO K1 YO K3 S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from * to * once more SM P to marker SM *K9 YO K1 YO K3 S1 K2tog PSSO* two times last stitch K thru back loop

Row 28:S1 P32 SM K to marker  SM P32 P1

Row 29: S1 *K3tog K4 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from *to* once more-SM P4  PM **K2tog YO** repeat from ** to ** until marker SM P4 PM *K3tog K4 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO S1 K2tog PSSO* two times- last stitch K thru back loop

Row 30: S1 P32 SM K4 SM P until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Row 31:S1 *K3tog K3 YO K1 YO K9* *repeat from * to * once more  SM P4 SM  K1**YO K2tog** repeat from ** to ** until are one away from the marker K1 SM P4 SM *K3tog K3 YO K1 YO K9* two times K the last stitch through the back loop

Row 32:  S1 P32 SM K4 SM P until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Row 33:S1 *K3tog K2 YO K1 YO K10* *repeat from * to * once more SM P4 SM **K2tog YO** repeat from ** to ** until marker SM P4  SM *K3tog K2 YO K1 YO K10* last stitch K through the back loop

Row 34: S1 P32 SM K4 SM P until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Row 35:S1 *K3tog K1 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO K4 S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from *to* once more SM P4 SM K1 **YO K2tog** repeat from ** to ** until one stitch from marker K1 SM P4 SM *K3tog K1 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO K4 S1 K2tog PSSO* two times last stitch K thru back loop

Row 36: S1 P32 SM K4 SM P until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Row 37: S1 *K9 YO K1 YO K3 S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from * to * once more  SM P4 SM **K2tog YO** repeat from ** to ** until marker SM P4  SM *K9 YO K1 YO K3 S1 K2tog PSSO* two times last stitch K thru back loop

Row 38: S1 P32 SM K4 SM P until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Row 39: S1 *K9 YO K1 YO K3 S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from * to * once more SM P4 SM K1 **YO K2tog** repeat from ** to ** until one stitch from marker K1 SM P4 SM *K9 YO K1 YO K3 S1 K2tog PSSO* two times last stitch K thru back loop

Row 40:S1 P32 SM K4 SM P until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Row 41: S1 *K3tog K4 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from *to* once more-SM P4  PM **K2tog YO** repeat from ** to ** until marker SM P4 PM *K3tog K4 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO S1 K2tog PSSO* two times- last stitch K thru back loop

Row 42: S1 P32 SM K4 SM P until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Row 43:S1 *K3tog K3 YO K1 YO K9* *repeat from * to * once more  SM P4 SM  K1**YO K2tog** repeat from ** to ** until are one away from the marker K1 SM P4 SM *K3tog K3 YO K1 YO K9* two times K the last stitch through the back loop

Row 44:  S1 P32 SM K4 SM P until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Row 45:S1 *K3tog K2 YO K1 YO K10* *repeat from * to * once more SM P4 SM **K2tog YO** repeat from ** to ** until marker SM P4  SM *K3tog K2 YO K1 YO K10* last stitch K through the back loop

Row 46: S1 P32 SM K4 SM P until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Row 47:S1 *K3tog K1 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO K4 S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from *to* once more SM P4 SM K1 **YO K2tog** repeat from ** to ** until one stitch from marker K1 SM P4 SM *K3tog K1 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO K4 S1 K2tog PSSO* two times last stitch K thru back loop

Row 48: S1 P32 SM K4 SM P until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Repeat Rows 37-48 until you have reached 3 inches away from desired length- I this until the piece measured  about 45 inches. End with row 44. Use below rows 45-48 to begin ending of shawl.

Row 45:S1 *K3tog K2 YO K1 YO K10* *repeat from * to * once more SM P4 SM Purl until marker SM P4  SM *K3tog K2 YO K1 YO K10* last stitch K through the back loop

Row 46: S1 P32 SM K4 SM K until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Row 47:S1 *K3tog K1 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO K4 S1 K2tog PSSO* repeat from *to* once more SM P4 SM Purl until marker SM P4  SM*K3tog K1 YO K1 YO K3 YO K1 YO K4 S1 K2tog PSSO* two times last stitch K thru back loop

Row 48: S1 P32 SM K4 SM K until marker SM K4 SM P32 last stitch K thru back loop

Then repeat rows 1-12 two times

Bind off loosely

Soak and wash in luke warm water- try not to disturb the fibres.  Block on giant sheet (this shawl was too big for blocking board) and place one sheet on top- step on it to ensure it dries flat.

Secret Knitting

In February I started a secret knitting project which is taking some time to complete. I anticipate the big reveal sometime this summer.

Below is a picture of me in Canmore, Alberta purchasing some Madeline Tosh at Knit and Caboodle.
Happy Knitting!

Beautiful Knits- Earwarmer

This may be the end of my beautiful knits collection as there is very little yarn left. If anyone has any ideas on what to do with about 50g of yarn to add to this collection, let me know. Below is another crossed ear warmer. Its is one of my favourite designs. I have now mastered an almost seamless earwarmer and have posted the pattern below.

Grey Headband

Material
Chunky yarn about 150g- try to get something with stretch
Size 6 dpns
Cable Hook
Stitch Marker (if desired)

Pattern
CO 40 stitches
Divide stitches evenly on three needles and join
Begin knitting in the round
Knit in the round until you are about half way (about 11.5 inches for my head- where I want the cross)
Divide stitches onto 2 needles only- 22 on one and 18 on the other (this may feel awkward)- make the needle with 22 stitches the next one you will knit off of
With the needle with 22 stitches place 11 stitches on a cable needle, Knit tightly the remaining 11 stitches on the needle  and then knit the 11 stitches on the cable needle- basically Cable11back-
Knit all the stitches on the 18 stitch stitch needle
Divide stitches onto 3 needles again
Knit in the round for another 11.5 inches or desired length to go around your head
Cast off
Sew it together

You could easily do this pattern flat
CO 40 stitches
Stockinette stitch for 11.5 inches
Cross Over Row: Knit 9 stitches Cableback11 Knit 9 stitches
Stockinette stitch for 11.5 inches
Cast off
Sew earwarmer into a cylinder and then sew together

Furrowed Rib Scarf

The Furrowed Rib Scarf

Here you have another grey scarf, my favourite kind and my father's favourite kind. This scarf looks like a rib stitch, but it keeps its shape and doesn't come together, no blocking needed. I made it this year for my dad for Christmas. The pattern is simple and it looks great.

CO multiples of 3+1
Row 1:  (KKP) repeat for entire row
Row 2: P (KKP) repeat for entire row
Super easy!
I made it on 8mm needles with two pieces of worsted wight yarn, something shiny and acrylic (my dad does like wool).

Double

This scarf I shall name the double. It is knit in the round on dpns (or small circular) with a simple stockinette stitch, then casted off with a three needle bind off (see video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpJUrCX52DU) and the cast on is sewn together in a mattress stitch.

I casted on 80 stitches for this one.

Dishtowel Mania!

Lately I have been working on stocking stuffers and house warming gifts! Here are some great samples of what has been going on.
My new favourite dishtowel has the seed stitch border around it, in small or medium.

To make a medium one:
Use cotton yarn of choice- worsted weight
6mm needles (also need a 5mm crochet hook for the loop)
CO 50

For five rows seed stitch
(Every row K1, P1)

Row six: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K40 stitches, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1
Continue all rows as row 6 until there is about 1.5 inches left to make a perfect square

Five rows of seed stitch

COff- leave last stitch to chain 50 stitches (if a loop is needed- 50 or more chain if desired), double stitch crochet the loop

Weave in all ends

The small one casts on 35 instead of 50 and has 25 stitches in the middle of row 6

Beautiful Knits- Leg Warmers

Finding time to knit has been somewhat difficult, in fact my beautiful knits collection has lagged longer than expected. However, I finally finished a pair of leg warmers.

Knitted on size 5 dpns

CO 50 stitches- divide evenly by 3 needles

K1P1 for 3 inches

K each round 13 inches

K1P1 3 inches

COff

Happy Knitting :)

Tea Towels for Portugal

This past summer I spent most of the month of August in Terceira and Sao Miguel Azores AKA the most beautiful place in the world. I didn't bring much knitting, but I did manage to make several of these beautiful tea towels for Susan and Joe's house in Portugal.

Fabulous Knits Part III

Look!  fabulous grey hat and a very serious model.

I'm worried this hat maybe lacking in length, but hopefully it works.  It acts as a warm hat for winter with a bit of a floppy attitude. The yarn I used is: Queensland Collection: Kathmandu - merino wool, silk and cashmere blend.

Pattern using 5mm short circular needles and dpns

CO 70 stitches

K1P1 for 1.5 inches

Next round: K1M1 (entire round) now 140 stitches

Knit in the round til piece measures 8 inches (if you want more length keep going- next time Im going to go for 9 inches)

Next round: K6 K2tog (entire round)

Next round: K5 K2tog (entire round)

Next round: K4 K2tog (entire round)

Next round: K3 K2tog (entire round)- you may want to switch to DPNs at this point

Next round: K2 K2tog (entire round)

Next round: K1 K2tog (entire round)

Next round: K2tog (entire round)

Keep K2tog until you have 5 stitches- then pull the yarn through with a darning needle 

Weave in all ends :)

TA DA

Next fabulous knit: matching leg warmers 

Fabulous Knits Part II

Here are some fingerless mittens to match the grey infinity scarf.

I actually attempted these on double pointed needles (dpns).

4 Size 4 dpns

Pattern:

CO 36- divide evenly on 3 dpns

K2P2 for 1.5 inches

Next round: K7 M1 repeat whole round

1.5 inches stkn stitch

Next round: K5 M1 repeat whole round

13 rounds stkn stitch

K23 put 13 stitches on holder K rest of round

Stkn stitch 1.5 inches

K2 P2 1.5 inches

COff

Thumb

Put stitches on hold on two dpns and pick up 5 stitches from mitten on 3rd dpn

2 rows stkn

1 inch K2P2

COff

Weave in all ends :)

Fabulous Knits Part I

I was recently asked by a friend to make her some matching accessories, she bought the most beautiful yarn and now I get to "make things". This is the first thing I have made: an infinity scarf.

This pattern is easy and knits up pretty fast. I used 5.5mm needles and casted on 30 stitches.
Row 1 K
Row 2 K
Row 3 K
Row 4 K yo2
Row 5 K let each yo drop

Repeat rows 1-5 until desired length is achieved.
I casted off and then sewed the scarf on the ends to create the infinity effect.

Fabulous Knits Part II- seamless fingerless mittens, hopefully I can post them before June is out!

Cowls of Color

Hello,

Today I am sneaking in a post for April with two new cowls for some special travelling gifts. I have really enjoyed knitting with Cascade Super Wash Wool and have made it my choice yarn for cowls.

Here is my new modified cowl pattern:

CO123 on size 5 round needles (16 inches), join
K2 P3 for 2.5 inches
K rounds for an additional 5.5 inches
K2 P3 for 2.5 inches
Ta da!
Tres simple!

And then there was two...

I have created another pillow for the couch :)
Using 5mm needles
Gauge 6 stitches per inch

CO 68 stitches

PATTERN:
Row 1: *K6P1K1P1K1P1K1* REPEAT FROM *TO* UNTIL END OF THE ROW
Row 2: *P6K1P1K1P1K1P1* REPEAT FROM *TO* UNTIL END OF THE ROW
REPEAT ROWS 1 AND 2 TWICE
NEXT ROW: *P1K1P1K1P1K1K6* REPEAT FROM *TO* UNTIL END OF THE ROW
NEXT ROW: *K1P1K1P1K1P1P6* REPEAT FROM *TO* UNTIL END OF THE ROW
REPEAT THE LAST TWO ROWS TWICE


Continue this patter until the piece measures about 30-31 inches

Mattress stitch the sides of the pillow
Put pillow filling inside and then stitch up the top with your best mattress stitch!

Couto's Calgary Cowl

Lucas and Christopher made the trip to Calgary in February to visit their brother and NEW WIFE (congrats). 

Lucas requested a BIG cowl to wear while skiing.

I took my skinny cowl and CO 120 stitches on a size 5 needles and knit my heart out. I knit 1/2 of the cowl the day before they left in 4 hours.